What do I need to know before going for a coronary angiogram?

A coronary angiogram is a type of X-ray used to examine the coronary arteries supplying blood to your heart muscle. It is considered to be the 'gold standard' method of diagnosing coronary artery disease (conditions that affect the arteries surrounding the heart).

During the procedure a long, flexible tube called a catheter will be inserted into a blood vessel in either your groin or arm. The tip of the catheter will then be fed up to your heart and coronary arteries.

Special dye will then be injected through the fine catheter into your coronary arteries and X-ray images will be taken. These images created during angiography are called angiograms.

These images will be used to identify narrowing or blockage of the arteries that may be responsible for your symptoms. This test is also sometimes required to reach a diagnosis for patients with heart valve and muscle disease.

I HAVE just found out I am pregnant. Are pregnant women entitled to free NHS dental treatment?

Yes. You are entitled to free NHS dental treatment if you are pregnant when you are accepted for the course of treatment and have a valid maternity exemption certificate issued by the Practitioner Services Division of NHS National Services Scotland.

To apply for your maternity exemption certificate, get form FW8 from your doctor, midwife or health visitor.

The form tells you what to do.

You are also entitled to free NHS dental treatment for 12 months after your baby is born. This includes if you have had a miscarriage after the 24th week of pregnancy, or your baby was stillborn.

WHAT IS... PAGET'S DISEASE OF BONE?

PAGET'S disease of bone is a chronic condition that affects growth, causing bones to expand and become deformed. The deformed bones then become weaker. The spine, the pelvis, the legs, the skull and the collarbone are the areas most likely to be affected. It is more common in the UK than anywhere else in the world and tends to affect people over 40.

Symptoms

Around 60 to 80% of people with Paget's disease of bone have no symptoms at all. When symptoms do occur, they can include deep aching in the bones, shooting pains, abnormalities such as curving of the leg or spine, and muscle weakness. Symptoms can also include deafness, dizziness, tinnitus (ringing or noise in the ear) and disturbances in vision.

DIAGNOSIS

An X-ray, bone scan or blood test can make a diagnosis.

TREATMENT

Treatment isn't needed unless symptoms cause discomfort or there is a risk they might cause problems in future, for example, deafness.

Bisphosphonate medicines are a common treatment.